Nicole Kidman made her first public appearance in China yesterday, with a ring on her finger that fuelled speculation of imminent nuptials.

Kidman managed to dodge questions about the rumoured wedding, despite the presence of more than 200 journalists. Tabloid media has reported that the actress is due to marry country singer Keith Urban in Sydney as early as next week.

Kidman said she was not planning a career change, despite an interest in writing, and described to reporters what it meant to be a woman.

'I think as a woman it's nice to maintain the things that make you a woman, your fragility and vulnerability, and underneath it all know you have a basis of strength,' she said at the swanky Bund 18.

Kidman generated a media frenzy unseen in Shanghai since her former husband Tom Cruise visited the city last year to film the third instalment of the Mission Impossible series. She maintained her poise throughout the news conference, except she appeared to grimace when an ethnic Mongolian woman presented her with a painting of a landscape on cow skin.

Kidman is doing charity work for the UN women's agency and promoting a new watch collection for luxury brand Omega.